Reviews

Ghost Highway

Brad Marino Agent of Chaos CD

BRAD MARINO has been working the seam between rock’n’roll and power pop for a long time now, first with New Hampshire’s the CONNECTION and now five albums into a solo run. He covered the RAMONES’ Subterranean Jungle front to back in 2020, then put out a 2024 EP called Ramones and Stones whose title track happily admits he doesn’t much need anything else. Agent of Chaos works that same ground, but sounds closer to Pleasant Dreams than Too Tough to Die. What keeps it from being a costume is that it doesn’t feel like MARINO is impersonating anyone. He’s carrying the thing forward rather than wearing its skin. Thirteen songs in thirty-three minutes, with Gene Champagne of TEENAGE HEAD behind the kit for most of the way, and my favorite tracks are “Voodoo” and “Devil May Care,” the latter breaking up the formula with some lap steel from James Cap Nunn. I usually want records louder and faster than this, and mid-tempo is a hard sell for me, but these songs just sound exactly like what they ought to be. The CD has a bonus cover of the JESUS AND MARY CHAIN’s “Between Planets.”

Fret Rattles As the World Falls Apart LP

Minneapolis sons FRET RATTLES’ third full-length runs thirteen songs in thirty-six minutes of the loud, fists-up action rock revival style that was pretty exciting a couple decades ago, and it’s played with total commitment and zero risk. The music they’re inspired by (MC5, STOOGES, HELLACOPTERS) was made by people who were a bit of a public safety problem. This album kind of sounds like the average of everything recorded in their wake. It includes gassed-up runs at the DEAD BOYS’ “What Love Is” and the BOYS’ “Living in the City,” the former featuring the late Rob Tossava, a fixture of the Minneapolis scene, on guitar. In a bar, this would be a great time. On record, it’s a toe-tapper that might not fully capture your attention. LP is on 180g black or colored vinyl.

Los Bluffs Give Me Time EP

LOS BLUFFS offer up guitar-centric garage power pop that’s really nicely done. That’s not to suggest that the drums and the bass aren’t well-integrated, just that I feel like the guitar is the focus. I’m also a fan of the understated vocals that are pleasant, but not overbearing. You just kind of find yourself bouncing along with all three cuts, including an excellent JOY DIVISION cover. Really nicely done.

Los Pepes Out of the Void LP

Delivered from a multicultural London setting, Out of the Void is a classic punky power pop record. Infused with beachy guitar and ’60s-influenced sounds, LOS PEPES know who they want to be. However, this LP was generally unimpressive and sounds too overproduced. The drums aren’t too creative, maintaining their kick and cymbal-heavy rhythms without much deviation. I didn’t care too much for the vocals; there isn’t that harsh quality to vocalist Ben Perrier’s voice, which would make for a more interesting listen. Otherwise, the guitar on “Sweet Appeasement” has a great tone, groovy synth, and it’s the best song on the LP. They change pace a bit in “Undercover,” getting faster before the record ends. Honestly, LOS PEPES seem like they’d be better live than recorded, which must be true considering their impressive booking schedule. My prescription: Listen to Out of the Void live for better results and less studio dampening.

The Scaners X Ray Glasses: On EP

I’ve had enough of DEVO-core. Okay, I haven’t, but this single posits something maybe even more up my alley: NUMAN-core. Lyon’s the SCANERS hearken back to the TUBEWAY ARMY days while paying homage to garage rock in a way that sticks the landing beautifully. The B-sides work too, though not quite as much as the groovier/headier single, leaning more heavily on hard riffs than subterranean synth gloom. All-around nifty little release, though.